Daly Cherry-Evans was kind of but not really a Titan!

[Toads]

Looking forward to the DCE and Zillman combinations. DCE lookin' to swing it 'n having no idea to where Zillman disappeared to.

/sarcasm.

[DIEHARD]

Daly Cherry-Evans Titans: Five burning questions after Manly halfback’s Gold Coast defection

THE angry Sea Eagles pulled their contract offer to Daly Cherry-Evans two days before season kick-off against Parramatta. Coach Geoff Toovey insisted the champion halfback might still stay.

He didn’t. Instead, he stunned his teammates by telling them minutes after a thumping from the Eels that he was joining the Gold Coast Titans on a four-year contract from 2016.

It was a bombshell decision on the first Friday evening of footy for this season and has thrown up some major issues, for both clubs and the game at large. Here are five burning questions after DCE’s defections.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR MANLY’S SEASON?

Already described as having a “toxic culture” by former veteran Anthony Watmough, this stunning development could be terminal for the Sea Eagles’ dressing room morale. Although they are incredibly adept at dealing with internal strife, such a stunning announcement from their key playmaker just one game into the season will come as a hammer blow. Cherry-Evans was already on the nose with many teammates, who watched the likes of Watmough and Glenn Stewart exit the club as Manly positioned itself to re-sign the premiership-winning halfback on a big-money deal. To be told they had gone through all the upheaval for nothing would have gone down like a lead balloon in the Sea Eagles sheds on Friday night. Cherry-Evans’ very public pursuit of a contract at rival clubs had built up the angst, which reportedly saw him dubbed “Yoko Ono” during pre-season. The newly-added spite towards Cherry Evans can only be counter-productive – and that’s just within the team. With Manly fans also reeling from the conflict within their club and now this bombshell decision, it would not be a shock if Cherry-Evans was booed by his own fans at next Saturday’s Brookvale Oval match against Melbourne. As for a season finish - Manly had already been widely-predicted to slide out of the top eight for the first time since 2005 and the DCE drama will only cement those opinions, despite the Sea Eagles still boasting a team littered with champions.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR THE TITANS?

The DCE coup is the most stunning reversal of fortunes imaginable for the Titans. People were asking entirely justified questions about whether the club had a future on the Gold Coast in the wake of poor performances, falling crowds, a cocaine scandal involving big names such as Greg Bird and Dave Taylor, then the revelation that the club was broke and needed to be taken over by the NRL. To have rebounded from those disasters by signing one of the best players in the competition – a premiership winner, potential all-time great and a Queenslander to boot – is the most emphatic statement the Titans could possibly have made about their intent to survive. Football-wise, the move will see DCE partner Aidan Sezer in the halves – provided the off-contract Sezer re-signs, as he has expressed his intention of doing. A DCE-Sezer halves combination would be one of the NRL’s best. It remains to be seen what Cherry-Evans will walk into, with the Titans a near-unanimous pick for the wooden spoon given their modest roster and the off-field disasters. But signing a high-profile champion No.7 is the surest way to start a positive rebuild, on and off the field.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR GEOFF TOOVEY?

DCE’s decision is something of a slap in the face for the Sea Eagles legend, who played a key role in the halfback’s development having played No.7 for NSW and Australia during his own wonderful career. Toovey came into the season under pressure as Manly coach and the latest developments have escalated his task from challenging to nightmarish. The Sea Eagles finished level with minor premiers the Roosters atop the NRL ladder last season but proceeded to exit the finals with consecutive defeats. At a club with enormous expectations, the result didn’t help him much and it seems he’s a long shot to improve on it this year. It remains to be seen how much credit he will get if he can steer Manly to any sort of reasonable return amid terrible circumstances. The signs aren’t great, with Manly’s pack being steamrolled by Parramatta in Round 1 to add to the headaches elsewhere. Toovey is contracted through to the end of 2016 but has fought a constant battle to emerge from the shadow of supercoach Des Hasler. He copped a bake over supposed weak leadership from former player Watmough in the past week and is reportedly not the best communicator. It all adds up to clear and present danger for Toovey.

WHAT COMES NEXT FOR MANLY?

It seems the news will only get worse for Manly, with multiple reports having suggested that champion five-eighth Kieran Foran will announce a move to Parramatta within days. It seems that the Sea Eagles have inexplicably managed to tear up a golden ticket. To have two champion playmakers of about the same age on the same team is nearly unheard of in the modern game and should have ensured Manly further premiership success within the next few seasons. As it is, they look doomed to lose two elite talents in one fell swoop, with some very good but not great options to potentially replace them. On the open market, there are some decent off-contract options in a mixed bag: Trent Hodkinson, Chris Sandow, Michael Morgan, Robert Lui, Isaac John, Jeff Robson and Mitch Cornish are available at halfback, while five-eighth options include James Maloney, Aidan Sezer, Chad Townsend, Kris Keating, Ray Thompson and Kyle Stanley. In house, Jack Littlejohn remains on Manly’s books in 2015 but is off-contract, while Jamie Lyon can always be used at five-eighth if needed. There is also excitement about youngster Tom Trbojevic, a fullback who has ball-playing skills. Looking at the bigger picture, perhaps the exit of Cherry-Evans from Manly is a blessing in disguise, given he proved such a divisive figure.

WILL THIS FORCE THE NRL TO CONSIDER A TRADE PERIOD?

Cherry-Evans and likely Foran gone from Manly one week into the season, Trent Merrin already gone from the Dragons, a raft of other deals still to be played out. Calls are growing louder for the NRL to confine player movement to a sanctioned trade period to eliminate the sideshow of contract dealings that often overshadow the football during the season. Fans are surely at their wits’ end, seeing their team’s biggest names sign with rival clubs then fudging their way through a lame duck season. Or, just as unseemly, become involved in a bitter and highly-public tug of war leading up to the contract deadline then renege on their move elsewhere. Just what model a sanctioned trade system would take is unclear – perhaps a week mid-season and an extended period in the off-season. Whatever the answer, the current system seems broken and demands to change it may well force the NRL’s hand.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/nrl

[Mexican titan]

Good luck with that. Maybe Henry has learnt. But I doubt it, can't teach an old dog new tricks.

When I came on here you were on your knees, now you are back on your feet and even though still on the ropes starting to punch.

Tonight I hope you guys punch above your weight and give the Tigpigs are lesson. I know you can do it, I hope your guys believe they can also.

The Tigers were in all sorts last year and if Farrer hasn't sorted his chit out you have the opportunity to ambush them.

All the best.

Pete

Your game should be a ripper. Will be flying home from cbus to get the 2nd half.

[DIEHARD]

screenshot program

I can picture it now....looking good!

Wow! Are you making this! Great work, looks amazing. Very identifiable.

[Bayside Titan]

Y

Good to see you bro

Massoud just tweeted this:

@SeaEagles now want Trent Hodkinson. Kane Elgey and James Maloney to stay at @GCTitans & @sydneyroosters respectively. @7NewsSydney

If Trent does go to Manly I would think that Sezer might get asked to consider the Bulldogs.

[DIEHARD]

Amazing to see the club bounce back so hard, so fast. It really has caught most of the RL community by surprise and we are back on the map!

[Bayside Titan]

Amazing to see the club bounce back so hard, so fast. It really has caught most of the RL community by surprise and we are back on the map!

It's like the Star Wars Title on one of the movies "A New Hope ".

[hammer]

My season ticket seats don't lend itself to big flags but would be happy for anyone to make it on a large scale...for those not sure what the Run stands for...it is a reference to the Run DMC logo.

image upload no limit

[Cowboy Titan Pete]

I thought it was


RUN FORREST RUN.

Pete

[DIEHARD]

My season ticket seats don't lend itself to big flags but would be happy for anyone to make it on a large scale...for those not sure what the Run stands for...it is a reference to the Run DMC logo.

image upload no limit

Yea Im a big rap fan so really appreciated it.

For those that want to make banners...

Can I bring in a flag or banner to support my team?

Flags or banners are permitted provided they do not contain offensive wording and are no larger than 120cm x 60cm. Supporting poles are to be lightweight wood or plastic and must be no wider than 2cm and no longer than 90cm. Any flag or banner larger than this size may be permitted provided it is pre-registered with Cbus Super Stadium prior to an event day. Please contact the Venue Management Office on (07) 5656 5500 for further information.

http://www.cbussuperstadium.com.au/A...-of-entry.aspx

[Toads]

Can I bring in a flag or banner to support my team?

Flags or banners are permitted provided they do not contain offensive wording and are no larger than 120cm x 60cm. Supporting poles are to be lightweight wood or plastic and must be no wider than 2cm and no longer than 90cm. Any flag or banner larger than this size may be permitted provided it is pre-registered with Cbus Super Stadium prior to an event day. Please contact the Venue Management Office on (07) 5656 5500 for further information.

That's a bit of a bizarre flag size (120cm x 60cm). The most common ones are 150cm x 90cm (5ft x 3ft), and the ones the Club usually/use to give away to members are 90cm x 60cm (3ft x 2ft) in size. Wonder why Queensland Stadiums opted to hit in the middle of those two standard sizes?

[Ausphin]

Now that Titans have secured my no. 1 target, time to move on to the rest.

Regardless of drug charges outcomes, i am ready to say goodbye to Bird.

My targets for 2016 now we have DCE are-

1. Alex Glenn
2. Dylan Napa
3. Tim Simona

[JunctionBlock]

The Legion will have to get onto it. Their banners are a lot bigger than what everyone else is allowed.

[DIEHARD]

Maroons legend Darren Lockyer says Daly Cherry-Evans can deliver a Titans title

MAROONS legend Darren Lockyer says Daly Cherry-Evans can deliver a Titans premiership and has urged Gold Coast hierarchy to install the half-back ace as their next long-term captain.

Lockyer lauded the Titans’ $4 million Cherry-Evans coup, which ranks among Queensland rugby league’s most important signings of the past 30 years.

In 1988, the Broncos celebrated the prized signing of Wally Lewis in their debut season, while a decade ago the Cowboys succeeded by poaching Johnathan Thurston from the Bulldogs.

Now Queensland’s third NRL team, the Titans, have their own superstar after Cherry-Evans agreed to a four-year deal to lead Gold Coast’s planned renaissance in 2016.

Nate Myles will skipper the Titans this season, but at age 29 the Maroons enforcer is entering his twilight years and Lockyer believes the club has found a ready-made successor.

“Daly is an outstanding signing for the Titans,” Broncos great Lockyer said.

“The captaincy is the next step for Daly. They have a good captain there in Nate Myles, but moving forward Daly is a logical successor and he will drive the culture and a lot of what happens on the field.

“He’s a natural leader and a guy who is ready for the captaincy.

“It’s a huge blow for Manly, but Daly is just what the Titans need right now. It’s not only good for the Titans, it’s also good for the game from a strategic standpoint given the threat from the AFL on the Gold Coast.

“It’s an exciting time for the Titans ... Daly will transform the club.”

There is a sentiment Cherry-Evans may struggle to replicate his outstanding form at the Titans without the galaxy of stars, such as Kieran Foran and Brett Stewart, that surrounded him at Brookvale.

But Lockyer has a warning for NRL rivals — Cherry-Evans will only get better in Titans colours.

Just turned 26, the Maroons and Test playmaker is in his fifth season of NRL and former Test skipper Lockyer says rebuilding the Titans will ignite Cherry-Evans’ competitive spirit.

“Despite what he’s achieved already, we haven’t seen the best of Daly,” he said.

“As he gets more experience, he will drive the team around the park better. I think he’s ready for it, it will be good for his own development.

“He is a Queenslander so that (returning home) would be one motivation to sign with the Titans. But I also get the feel Daly is ready for another challenge and that is to come to a struggling club and lift them up to a premiership.

“In five years, he’s achieved a hell of a lot. He’s a great talent but I honestly think he will get better at the Titans.

“He had a quiet year by his standards last season, but this is the challenge that will bring the best out in him. Daly will relish it and it will take his game to a new level.”

http://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/

[Show and Go]

Wouldn't the DCE kicking game have been handy last night.